US indicts two Iranian businessmen on charges of violating sanctions

The United States has charged a company and two of its senior executives with violating U.S. sanctions on Iran, conspiring to harm the United States, money laundering, identity theft and internet fraud. The company's founder has been arrested.

The news of the indictment against Seyyed Sajjad Shahidian and Vahid Vali, two senior managers of the online financial services company Payment 24, was published by the American newspaper The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday, May 19.

The two Iranian businessmen are accused of violating US sanctions against the Islamic Republic through their company between 2009 and 2018.

The company has apparently helped Iranian citizens circumvent sanctions.

The Wall Street Journal wrote that "Payment 24" has, above all, provided Iranian citizens with the ability to purchase software, software licenses, and computer servers.

In this regard, a "package" was mentioned that included a PayPal account, an IP address from the United Arab Emirates, a Visa gift card, and a fake ID card for online purchases in the United States.

Prosecutor's charges

The federal court in the US state of Minnesota has declared the charges against Shahidian and Wali as conspiracy to harm the United States, money laundering, identity theft, and internet fraud.

It is said that "Payment 24" also has several branches in Iran.

Shahidian, 33, was arrested in Britain and extradited to the United States on Monday.

According to the Wall Street Journal, he claims to be innocent, and his public defender has not commented on his client's charges.

Vahid Vali, the 33-year-old CEO of Payment 24, is still at large, and the American newspaper has been unable to obtain any information about him.

Source: DW